When we learn to open our senses and touch our feelings directly, our bodies and minds make full contact with one another, and all our experiences become richer, healthier and more fulfilling. Tarthang Tulku

Issue: October / November, 2003

Publisher & Editor: Diane Peters Mayer

A. PeakSpeak

Hello and welcome readers and new subscribers.

PeakNews offers a range of information about ring nerves, the ways to conquer it, and how to really enjoy competition, plus your stories, interviews, book reviews and more.

This month we'll be combining the October and November issues because I had editing deadlines on my Conquering Ring Nerves book which gobbled up all of my spare time. So with a deep breath and sigh of relief, except for reading the galleys, it's finished, and will be off to the printer soon. ;-}

This month's Training Tip, features a powerful visualization and breathing technique taken from the this month's BookPicks choice. The exercise will help you to tune into feelings and sensations such as you never have before, and allow you to open fully to competing.

Summer 2004 Events Announcement for Agility enthusiasts.

A News Flash introduces a nifty ezine (coming January 2004), for beginning and intermediate agility handlers.

Second Chances highlights a South Florida Shelter.

Tibetan Relaxation Kum Nye Massage and Movement is our September BookPicks.

We'd like to remind you that we now accept photos of you and your fantastic canine companions along with your submissions. You can scan and email them to Sheri Huffman at sheri@virtualhelpinghand.com or snail mail your photos to Sheri at 2701 Creek Valley Dr., Garland, TX (she'll b happy to return the photo to you after it's scanned).

PeakNews offers a unique format in which to engage and connect with handlers from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland and South Africa who, in some form, all experience "ring nerves."

Your questions, comments, and stories enrich PeakNews immeasurably. Send us your submissions for the December issue. Deadline is December 20th.

Please join us to become the handler of your dreams. Your dog will thank you!

Enjoy.

Diane

B. Ask the Coach

Dear Coach Diane,
I’m a new PeakNews reader. I am getting ready to begin competing in Obedience and I’m also training for Rally with my Sheltie Sammy. Here’s my problem: I’m very insecure and outwardly nervous in class. I can’t stop comparing myself to other handlers at shows and in my class. I think everyone knows more than I do, and that I’ll never be a good trainer or partner for my dog. Sometimes when I’m feeling down, I even compare Sammy to other dogs, thinking he’s not good enough. I want to stop caring about other people and concentrate on what I need to do for myself. M.S. from Illinois

Dear M.S.
Let’s tackle your nerves first. You need to learn how to generally relax yourself, as well as how to do so when you’re under pressure, in class or later when you begin competing. Learn the exercise below and also go to the PeakNews archives, the January, 2002 issue that features Yoga Breath. Practice daily and in time you’ll be able to ease your nerves quickly, which will also help you to boost your confidence.

Try the following technique to counter feelings of insecurity. Make a list of your strengths and attributions. To do so relax first with the breathing exercise, then open yourself up to your positive qualities. It may take a while to see them-it’s hard to budge those negative feelings-but keep practicing. After you get your list together, read them over daily and little by little you’ll begin to believe them.

When you’re in a situation where you find that you’re comparing yourself to others, begin breathing and watch each breath as it goes in and out of your body. At the same time say some of your positive qualities to yourself. For example, “I work hard at training Sammy and we get better every day” This technique will keep you centered, and at the same time turn off the negative thoughts that shout at you, that you and your dog don’t measure up.

With time and practice you’ll see changes in how you think and ‘feel. Happy Training.

Have a question? Please submit it to us at CAYPNews@aol.com

C. Training Tip of the Month

Open Yourself to Competing

One of the main coping mechanisms handlers with ring nerves use to keep anxiety away is to shut down both mind and body. As I've written before, and as many of you have experienced, it just does not work. If you bury your feelings, it's likely you'll have to disconnect from your dog and the competition. Many handlers seize up with tension to such a degree that they can't remember what happened in the ring after they've finished.

To perform well and to be on the same wave length as your dog you have to be open emotionally and physically, and you have to be present. The following exercise from Tibetan Relaxation (Duncan Baird/Dharma Publishing, 2003), combines breath work and visualization and will help you to tune in to the experience of competing instead of tuning out. I introduced it at the ring nerve seminar I presented in July, 2003 at the Oriole Dog Training Club, and some participants remarked afterwards that they felt like they were floating. Practice at least 2 times a week.

Tasting Relaxation

• Breathe deeply about 10 times and slowly relax your whole body.

• Relax your eyes, closing them if you wish, and let your mouth fall open.

• Let tension slip away from your forehead and scalp.

• Slowly sense every part of your head: nose ears, jaw, cheeks, the inside of your mouth, until your whole head becomes completely relaxed.

• Continue to relax the back and sides of your neck, your throat and the underside of your chin.

• Now relax your shoulders, chest, arms and hands. Your belly, back, legs feet and toes.

• Look around your body and find any places of tension and enjoy the sensation of relaxing away the tension. Taste the feeling of relaxation, enjoying it more and more until it nurtures every part of your body.

• Continue relaxing for 10-15 minutes. Gradually increase time to 30 minutes.

• When you finish, take a few seconds to sit and think about how you feel.

Training Tip:

• Taste relaxation the night before a competition to sleep well and wake energized.

• Practice in your car at the show site, or while waiting for your turn to keep yourself open, connected and relaxed.

D. News Flash!

Attention Agility Enthusiasts – Two Special Announcements!

1. Attend my Ring Nerve Workshop at the Competitive Edge Sports Camp (date and time to be announced). It's 5 days of Agility from June 29 - July 5th 2004. For information go to www.dogsofcourse.com or call Dana Crevling at 508-529-3568.

2. Agility enthusiasts-read about a forthcoming ezine published by Laurie Leach, editor of Laughing Dog Press. I'll be a regular contributor writing about, what else? Conquering Ring Nerves. Subscribe Now.

LAUGHING DOG PRESS PRESENTS — AGILITY ACTION.COM

Coming January 1, 2004

Like an algae bloom in spring, agility fever has captured the hearts of dog lovers. Recent counts indicate that well over 300,000 folks in the U.S. alone are active participants in this sport of teamwork between dog and handler.

At present, there is plenty of advice available for advanced competitors but not much for newer handlers. However, on January 1, 2004 a new electronic magazine, agilityaction.com, will go on-line with a variety of articles geared for folks who are starting agility through the intermediate competitor. Issues will include articles such as:

• Conquering Ring Nerves
• How to Walk the Course Like a Pro
• Using Toys to Create an Enthusiastic Dog
• How Do I Know When My Dog Is Ready to Trial?
• Using Verbs to Steer Your Dog
• Weaving Without Weeping
• Agility Trial Etiquette

Agility Action.com is published by Laughingdogpress.com so readers have a money back guarantee if they don't have at least one good laugh per issue.

Subscriptions will be available online during December. If you would like to be notified when they are available, email laurie@laughingdog.press.com.

E. Second Chances

The featured site for this issue is Animal Aid, Inc. a non-profit all volunteer South Florida Shelter. Contact them at:
Lyons Plaza
1463 Lyons Road
Coconut Creek, Fl 33063
Tel: 954-984-8349
Fax: 954-984-8354
Email: Tamerac@aol.com
Website: http://www.animal-aid.com

Have a rescue story? We all want to read it. To submit, write to us at CAYPNews@aol.com.

F. BookPicks

Tibetan Relaxation Kum Nye Massage and Movement

by Tarthang Tulku
Duncan, Baird/Dharma Publishing, 2003

Contains amazing exercises and breathing techniques for relaxation and connection to the body's energy center; easy to learn self-massage techniques and movement exercises to release energy as well as integrate body and mind; and features stretching exercises for mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

Have a book you loved? Write a review, and send it to us at CAYPNews@aol.com

G. Announcements & Coming Events

Coming March 1, 2004 !

Conquering Ring Nerves!
A Step-By-Step Program For All Dog Sports

By Diane Peters Mayer, M.S.W.
Wiley/Howell Book House, March 1, 2004

Conquering Ring Nerves is designed for competitive dog handlers, from novices to seasoned veterans who experience mild to severe performance anxiety. Featuring mind-body exercises and techniques from the Competing At Your Peak Ring Nerve Seminars, plus chapters on Self-Esteem, Making Mistakes and Creating a Safe Mental Space, and more. Illustrated with real-life handlers stories and packed with training tips, Conquering Ring Nerves will help you to ease your anxiety and compete at your peak under pressure.

Pre-order a copy today!

Add these books to your holiday shopping list!

STOP "RING NERVES" FROM HOME with our Audio Ring Nerve Program for All Dog Sports, with Training Manual.

• Great Exercises & Techniques.
• A Super Quickie Stress-Buster.
• Guided Imagery to mentally rehearse your perfect performance.
• Terrific Training Tips.

This program will help you do it!

The Audio Program & Manual is $29.95 plus $6.00 S&H in US. (PA residents add $1.80 sales tax). International add $10.00 S&H.

To read more about it or purchase by check or secure credit card online, please click here.

or call Diane at 215-348-8836.

If you enjoyed PeakNews we invite you to forward it, intact please, to other handlers who you think might benefit from it.

Thank you! See you next month.

**Note: Columns may vary from month to month.

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